The Peaceful Protest for a United America took place on Thursday at Houdini Plaza in downtown Appleton.
Jim Rosandick/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

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Katie Reiser holds a sign earlier this year at Lawrence University in Appleton as part of a candlelight vigil in support of nationwide protests against the immigration ban imposed by President Donald Trump.(Photo: Ron Page/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

APPLETON - Appleton committee members voted to refer a proposal to limit when and how Appleton police could work with federal immigration forces back to city staff.

"I don't believe we should be taking any action until we have clarification from the city attorney and the attorney's office as to any legality or any issue in the way this is written," said Alderman Curt Konetzke.

Now, city staff will take a further look at the proposal, which has been led by Alderman Vered Meltzer and sponsored by Aldermen Bob Baker and Patti Coenen, to study its impact before bringing it back to the Safety and Licensing committee.

Appleton has never declared itself as a sanctuary city, and Meltzer previously told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin that he specifically did not include language about sanctuary cities in his proposal, which took inspiration from one approved earlier this year by Iowa City.

The proposal from Meltzer details that:

City resources and police cannot do any law enforcement work "for the purpose of detecting the presence of undocumented persons" or "devote any public resources to the enforcement of federal immigration law."

It would not "affect or limit the enforcement of federal immigration law by federal authorities" inside the city, like authorities being notified if an undocumented person is arrested or detained.

It does not in "any way condone, encourage or assist the violation" of federal immigration laws.

Police Chief Todd Thomas told the committee on Wednesday that the department has long had a practice of not questioning people on their immigration status, and has not joined a federal program to get local officers trained to enforce immigration laws.

Holst appointed as Outagamie County veterans' service officer

David Holst, an employee with Outagamie County veterans' services and leader of American Legion Post 1908, was appointed as Outagamie County's next veterans' service officer.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson announced his appointment at Tuesday's County Board meeting, which the County Board unanimously confirmed.

Holst is an Iraq War veteran, serving in the Marine Corps. for four years and with the Army National Guard for nearly 20 years.

David Holst is the new Outagamie County veterans' service officer.(Photo: Courtesy of Outagamie County)

In a statement from Nelson's office, representatives from area veterans' organizations, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, were consulted during the hiring process.

“David Holst has served the veterans in the area with compassion, diligence, and he is very conscientious in paying proper attention in his efforts to assist others,” said Laurel Clewell, state commander of the American Legion, in the released statement.

Nelson let go former veterans' service officer Jon LiDonne in late August, to the dismay of many area veterans. LiDonne told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin previously that Nelson and his staff said they "lacked confidence in my ability to lead." Nelson did not comment on the reason for firing LiDonne, citing employee privacy concerns.

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin has a pending records request with Outagamie County staff related to LiDonne's employment records and staff correspondence about his termination.

Outagamie County voters to vote on redistricting

In the spring 2018 elections, Outagamie County voters will be asked if they favor nonpartisan redistricting.

The Outagamie County Board approved the advisory referendum at its meeting Tuesday night.

The question for voters will state: "Do you favor adoption of a nonpartisan system for redistricting of legislative and congressional districts in Wisconsin?"